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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paramount Pictures


9.2

based on 11 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 39 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: PG

Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, and Wolf Kahler

You're in for thrills as Indiana Jones (Ford) confronts snakes, Nazis and one astonishing cliffhanger after another -- all topped off by the discovery and opening of the mystical Ark of the Covenant. (Paramount)

GENRE(S):	Action \| Adventure
WRITTEN BY:	George Lucas (story) Philip Kaufman (story) Lawrence Kasdan
DIRECTED BY:	Steven Spielberg
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: October 21, 2003 Video: June 12, 1981 Theatrical: June 12, 1981
RUNNING TIME:	115 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won 4 for Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Plays like an anthology of the best parts from all the Saturday matinee serials ever made.

100

Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson

Spielberg can never top this. Period.

100

The New York Times Vincent Canby

One of the most deliriously funny, ingenious and stylish American adventure movies ever made.

100

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Harrison Ford gave one of his most memorable performances as Indiana Jones, a dashing Saturday matinee idol for the modern age.

100

Premiere Howard Karren

Steven Spielberg turns the pure adventure of Saturday afternoon serials into a solidly entertaining spectacle.

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Has all the right ingredients: a smart script, a likable hero, a dash of romance, more than a touch of comedy, and a lot of fast-paced action.

100

Variety Staff (Not Credited)

Spielberg has deftly veiled proceedings in a sense of mystical wonder that makes it all the more easy for viewers to suspend disbelief and settle back for the fun.

100

Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

An adventure film that plays like an old-time 12-part serial that you see all at once, instead of Saturday-to-Saturday. It's a modern "Thief of Baghdad." It's the kind of movie that first got you excited about movies when you were a kid. (Translation for today's children: It's better than anything on TV.) [12 June 1981]

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Ford's performance is an underrated but remarkable achievement; he succeeds in fully embodying a comic-book style hero without ever descending into camp.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

Finds the right balance between reverence and wit.

Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

Travels fast and straight down a linear plot, and the ceaseless rush quickly becomes monotonous.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 39 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andrew P. gave it a10:
The greatest adventure movie ever made! Forget the 30/100 review, that is bull!

Joey Z. gave it a10:
Best Indiana Jones Movie ! This movie had great special effects ,a great story , and great acting. Probably the best movie I've ever seen!

paul l. gave it a10:
Geez, that "Chicago reader" critic DAve Kehr is not in a mood for this film and probably because he drinks too much alcohol and pills which turn him into crazy maniac! This is the best of all Indiana Jones series!

Walter C. gave it a0:
Who could possibly enjoy this? It was sick! Full of unnessecary killing and just like Saving Private Ryan, it makes the Germans look stupid! The Ark of the Covenant? Horrible plot device! And the theme? Barely hummable!

Devon C. gave it an8:
It's unmissable. The action is outstanding, the romance between Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood was spellbinding, and the whole thing all together is just great. Despite it's flaws, it's definitely in my top 10 favourites.

Steve C. gave it a9:
ATTENTION - INDY 4 [***SPOLIER***] The ark ends up in a box in a warehouse at AREA 51 which turns out to be a place for hiding the American Governments secrets

Kevin F. gave it a10:
One of the greats in action/adventure. A timeless classic.

Raiders of the Lost Ark Paramount Pictures

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paramount Pictures